Press Releases Chef Josh Brown Celebrates a Year of Gather by D’Amico and Chef-in-Residence at the Walker Art Center

“Art meets food” —Rick Nelson, Star Tribune

“The menu is small, but everything sounds so good it’s hard to choose.” —Kathy Jenkins, St. Paul Pioneer Press

Minneapolis, MN, April 13, 2012 — D’Amico & Partners will celebrate the one year anniversary of Gather and the Chefs-in-Residence program at the Walker Art Center on Thursday, June 7. Since opening in June 2011, Gather has hosted twelve guest chef events on the first Thursday of each month, with critic Dara Moskowitz Grumdahl recommending, “Pair a visit with Target-sponsored free Thursday nights for urban living at its best.“ It has been named “One of the best New Restaurants of the Year” by Mpls./St. Paul and Minnesota Monthly Magazines. Gather’s executive chef Josh Brown will mark the anniversary with a duo of guest chef-inspired samples: citrus cured salmon with horseradish, crème fraîche, rye crumbs, and trout caviar; and crispy pork belly with curry, apples, and celery root slaw. These dishes are available throughout June in addition to the regular lunch and dinner menus at Gather, where locally sourced ingredients meet globally inspired cuisine.

Mixologist Josh Riegert has created a new cocktail, “Meet Me in the Garden,” in celebration of the first year of Gather at the Walker. The libation combines fresh cilantro, ginger and pineapple juice with Prairie vodka and limoncello. “Meet Me in the Garden” will be the $5 featured happy hour drink throughout June.

In this first year, Gather by D’Amico was lauded by Metromix as “A relaxed atmosphere with gorgeous views of downtown (the patio view is hard to beat)” with food critic Carla Waldemar noting, “They came for the art; they stayed for the food — and, since the takeover in June by the D’Amico operation, what’s on the plate is as noteworthy as what’s on the walls.”

Created and operated by D’Amico & Partners, Gather serves lunch six days a week (Tuesday–Sunday, 11:30 am–2:30 pm) and a small plates menu on Thursday evenings (5–9 pm), in conjunction with the Walker’s Target Free Thursday Nights. In addition to the events in Gather, Target Free Thursday Nights feature programs throughout the Walker, including performances, artist talks, and gallery exhibitions.

Tasting with Chef Josh Brown

Thursday, June 7, 5-9pm

Gather by D’Amico

Complimentary samples by Chef Josh Brown, happy hour and dinner menus available. The Walker Galleries are free to the public 5–9 pm

Join Gather’s own Chef Brown, who shares tastes inspired by his first year of hosting guest chefs. On Thursday, June 7, as with the first Thursday of every month, guests can sample two complimentary menu items. Chef Brown will be present throughout the evening to chat with guests and celebrate year one! Gather features a happy hour and full bar with an innovative specialty cocktail menu by mixologist Josh Riegert.